HOMEOWNERS have spoken out after cold callers working for a double-glazing firm claimed to be associated with the Swindon Advertiser.

The Adver received complaints from residents of Brunswick Street over allegations a sales team from Bettaglaze cold called at their doors last week.

Several callers also reported that the salespeople, wearing high visibility jackets carrying the Swindon Advertiser’s logo as well as their own and that of Trust Mark – a Government-licensed not-for-profit organisation which endorses tradesmen – became aggressive when they were refused business.

One resident of Brunswick Street, in Old Town, who asked to remain anonymous, said one of Bettaglaze’s salesmen had become aggressive and verbally abusive after being told they did not want to buy double glazing.

“Last Friday my husband Rob parked my car up the street after coming home and saw this salesman about to knock on my front door,” she said.

“They were hovering around and my husband said ‘I would not bother knocking there’.

“The guy got a bit aggressive and said ‘what’s it to do with you?’ “They had the Adver logo on their jackets and Rob said we already get the Adver. The guy walked away and swore at him under his breath.

“Rob then went back out to speak to them, because there were three or four of them on the street, and asked them what they were selling.

“The guy said they were sponsored by the Swindon Advertiser.”

When the Adver approached Bettaglaze director Jez Cavey at the firm’s Kembrey Park premises he said he believed he had permission to use the Adver’s logo.

He said: “Our jackets carry our logo, the Adver’s logo and the Trust Mark. We use the Adver’s because we advertise with them.

“Before we had the jackets made at the end of last year we were told ‘because you are advertising with us you will be fine’.

“Our salesmen should not be saying they are from the Adver at all – in fact they don’t say that.

“We advertise with them so we say to people ‘you can find us in the Adver’.

“If the Adver want us to take it off we will.”

Group Editor Gary Lawrence said: “This firm has absolutely nothing to do with the Swindon Advertiser.

“We have not given them permission to sport our logo and if anybody has any concerns or has been visited by them please call the newsdesk on 01793 501806 or email newsdesk@swindonadvertiser.co.uk.”